Mitsubishi Triton News
Why diesel is not done in Australia
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By Tim Gibson · 13 Apr 2026
Diesel fuel prices have been skyrocketing in Australia, making buyers think twice about running costs.According to NSW fuel price data, diesel is up to $1 per litre more expensive than petrol on average, sitting on average at over $3 per litre.Diesel sales were already in decline, but sustained higher fuel prices appear to have accelerated this trend.What may surprise some, though, is that petrol car sales are decreasing at a faster rate than diesel. Diesel sales have declined 10.1 per cent compared to February 2026 and 4.8 per cent overall this year. Petrol sales for the same periods have declined by more than 20 per cent and nearly 18 per cent, respectively. This equates to almost 22,000 less vehicles sold compared to this time last year. Diesel sales have only declined a little over 4000 units compared to March 2025. There were 28,364 diesel sales in March 2026 as opposed to 34,694 petrol ones, but if petrol sales continue to decline at the same rate, it will not be long before diesel is the top selling non-electrified fuel type for vehicles.Diesel also still more than doubles the sales of electric month-on-month, but EVs are rapidly catching up.One of the key reasons for these differences is many brands are ditching pure petrol models for electrified variants, as Australia's new vehicle efficiency standards start to impose big consequences for higher-emitting engines. For example, most of Toyota’s major models are now hybrid only, such as the Yaris hatch, Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV. There have also been talks of brands completely cutting petrol options from their line-ups, such as Chery.Local Chief Executive Officer Lucas Harris told CarsGuide earlier this year it is something he is eager to see happen. “Personally I would hope that we get to that point because the super hybrid driving experience, in particular Chery’s super hybrid driving experience is so good and I think it is much better than ICE,” Harris said.“The more people that try it, the more consumers go that way. We’ll be led by demand so if all of a sudden nobody is buying an ICE Tiggo 7, and they're only buying Tiggo 7 super hybrid, it probably doesn’t make much sense to continue bringing an ICE product that consumers don’t really want.”Other brands have echoed these comments in the past as they move to predominantly hybrid and electric line-ups. In February, for example, Hyundai was number two for hybrid sales in Australia, a title it may lose to BYD's popular range of plug-in hybrids like the Shark 6 and Sealion 6. BYD, meanwhile, is already hybrid and electric only.Diesel utes still dominate the sales charts, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux leading the way, with the Isuzu D-Max also in the top 10. Both the HiLux and D-Max experienced subtle growth, while the Ranger had a near 10 per cent decline compared to last month. Best-selling diesel cars in March 2026
Tough new ute confirmed
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By Jack Quick · 09 Apr 2026
Mitsubishi has just revealed a new, flagship version of its Triton dual-cab ute that has been tested and developed in Australia.The Japanese carmaker partnered with Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar, to develop the Triton Raider.The Triton Raider is a version of this dual-cab ute that’s claimed to bring confidence to every drive, whether that be on- or off-road. First examples are due to arrive at dealers by the end of May.Think of it as a rival to the Ford Ranger Tremor, Isuzu D-Max Blade and Volkswagen Amarok W600, among others, as it picks up tougher looks and suspension tweaks, but no extra power.Using the model year 2026 (MY26) version of the Triton GSR as a base, which gains Yamaha horizontally mounted dampers to further reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Premcar completes the second-stage manufacturing process at a facility in Epping, Victoria.There’s a unique front and rear suspension damper package with the front damper gaining an internal rebound spring to create more wheel control on a variety of surfaces.The related Nissan Navara also received a range of very similar suspension tweaks by Premcar, this Triton Raider program is unrelated.Other tweaks the Triton Raider picks up include 18-inch ROH ‘Assault’ alloy wheels finished in a unique brushed bronze finish that are wrapped in Bridgestone AT002 all-terrain tyres.As a result of the suspension and tyre package, there is a 25mm ride height increase at the front, 10mm ride height increase at the rear and 20mm wider track width.Matching the brushed bronze alloy wheels, there are a range of exterior highlights and decals finished in the same car. Additionally there are upgraded side protection bars, underbody protection and a sports bar with unique red highlights.Inside the Triton Raider receives black leather upholstery with orange stitching and Raider branding embroidered into the front headrests. There’s also a Raider badge fitted on the centre console.At this stage Mitsubishi hasn’t detailed pricing for the Triton Raider, though it is likely to be more than the current flagship GSR trim, which is priced at $65,590 before on-road costs.This means the Triton Raider could be closer to $70,000 before on-road costs and potentially the most expensive Triton ever offered locally.This crown currently goes to the Walkinshaw co-developed Triton Xtreme which was sold during 2023 and based on the previous-generation ute.As noted above, neither Mitsubishi nor Premcar made any tweaks to the Triton’s 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine with the Raider. It still produces 150kW and 470Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Most fuel efficient diesel utes
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By Tim Gibson · 06 Apr 2026
Utes have been affected substantially by increasing fuel prices, thanks to their large fuel tanks and often thirsty turbo-diesel engines.Diesel fuel prices have jumped to more than $3 per litre, making filling up a diesel ute more expensive than ever.CarsGuide has compiled a list of all the diesel dual-cab pick-up utes on sale, calculating the yearly cost of each at $3.07 per litre (the average price in NSW on 31/3/26) over 15,000km.Isuzu Ute’s D-Max and Mazda BT-50 2.2-litre turbo-diesel variants are the efficiency leaders. The mechanically identical pair of utes cost $3038.02 in fuel in a year, averaging 6.6L/100km.The Ford Ranger’s single turbo-diesel 2.0-litre is next on the list, averaging 6.9L/100km, which equates to $3177.45 over 15,000km. The new mild hybrid Toyota HiLux also has a competitive efficiency figure of 7.1L/100km, which is a little cheaper in fuel than the standard turbo-diesel variants. Three-litre variants of the BT-50 and D-Max vary in cost, given fuel consumption fluctuates between 7.1L/100km and 7.8L/100km depending on the variant.The KGM Musso is one of the thirstiest of the utes, with its up to 9.0L/100km, costing more than $4000 over the course of a year. The GWM Cannon Alpha diesel was the other ute to exceed the $4000 mark. Concluding the list are the gas guzzling full-size American pick-ups, in Ram’s 2500 and the Chevrolet Silverado HD. Both have V8 diesel engines with a capacity of more than 6.0-litres, meaning they cost more than $7000 over the course of a year.2026 ute fuel figures Australia *Dependent on variant**Ram does not provide official figures for fuel consumption. This figure is sourced from CarsGuide's real world testing.***Chevrolet does not provide official figures for fuel consumption. This figure is sourced from CarsGuide's real world testing.
Major HiLux rival scores hidden upgrades
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By Jack Quick · 02 Apr 2026
Mitsubishi has detailed the 2026 model year (MY26) update for its Triton dual-cab ute line-up ahead of its arriving at local dealers in May.A highlight change is a range of the entry-level manual Mitsubishi Triton GLX variants have been axed.As a result, the entry price has climbed to $37,090 before on-road costs for the GLX 4x2 single-cab chassis automatic.Only one manual trim is left, the GLX 4x4 dual-cab chassis which is priced from $47,940 before on-road costs.Pricing for carryover variants is up by up to $1000, depending on the variant, meaning the range now extends all the way to $65,590 before on-road costs for the GSR trim.However, it’s expected the forthcoming Triton Raider, as previously reported, will cost more than the GSR.Mitsubishi has redesigned the front and rear suspension systems for the MY26 Triton. The front has a lower spring rate and rubber body mounts, while high-response ‘Various Performance Setting’ valves have been added to the front and rear shock absorbers.Additionally, the rear shock absorbers have increased in diameter. This allows the ute to have improved ride comfort and reduced harshness, while maintaining agility.It’s worth noting that the GLX and GLX+ trim retain a heavy-duty four-leaf rear suspension set-up, while the GLX-R, GLS and GSR continue with a standard-duty three-leaf set-up.The flagship Triton GSR in particular picks up Yamaha performance dampers which are fitted horizontally across the front and rear of the chassis.These are claimed to improve straight-line and high-speed stability, while reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).The Triton GSR also picks up the Mitsubishi Connect online telematics system. Using a Telstra 4G cellular modem, it allows for SOS emergency calling, plus remote connectivity features with the smartphone companion app.2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia pricing:2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia powertrain and efficiency:2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia standard equipment:GLX highlights:17-inch steel wheelsAll-terrain tyres (4x4 variants)Halogen headlights7.0-inch digital instrument cluster9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia systemWireless Apple CarPlayTwo-speaker sound system (single-cab models)Four-speaker sound system (club- and dual-cab models)Manual air-conditioning (single-cab models)Climate control (club- and dual-cab models)Fabric upholsteryGLX+ adds:17-inch alloy wheelsRear differential lockFront fog lightsPrivacy glassSide stepsTailgate assist (pick-up only)Two rear USB portsDAB+ digital radioGLX-R+ adds:Black 18-inch alloy wheelsSuper Select 4WD-II (full-time four-wheel drive)Standard-duty suspensionBlack sports barCarpet floorLeather-wrapped steering wheelGLS adds:18-inch grey alloy wheelsBedliner (pick-up models)LED headlightsBlack exterior highlights (NEW)Electric folding side mirrorsDual-zone climate controlAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorKeyless entry and push-button startWireless chargerDashbound-mounted cupholders (NEW)Soft-touch interior trimGSR adds:Yamaha Performance Dampers (NEW)Black 18-inch alloy wheelsBody-colour grilleBlack lower front bumper accent (NEW)Wheel arch mouldingSailplane (pick-up inly)Roof railsLeather upholstery with orange accent stitchingUnique floor matsPowered driver’s seat2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia optional equipment:The $1500 Deluxe option pack on the GLS adds:Leather upholstery with silver stitchingPowered driver’s seatHeated front seatsThe Terrain Pack (GLX, GLX+, GLX-R and GLS dual-cab models) adds:Steel front protection barSide protection barRear protection barTow barTow ballThe Electric Roll Top Plus Accessory Pack (GLX+, GLX-R, GLS and GSR dual-cab pick-up models) adds:Electric roll top tonneau coverTow barTow ballElectric trailer brake controller and harnessDuster and water defence kitCargo tie townBlack grille emblemA wide range of other option packs and genuine accessories are also available.2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia safety:The Mitsubishi Triton received a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2024.Standard safety highlights:Six airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Rear AEB (pickup models only)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertFront cross traffic alert ($NCO)Lane-keep assistAdaptive cruise control (automatic models only)Traffic sign recognitionDriver attention monitorFront and rear parking sensorsReversing camera2026 Mitsubishi Triton Australia warranty and servicing:The 2026 Mitsubishi Triton is covered by a 10-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty provided you service it at Mitsubishi dealers when required. If you don’t meet the schedule the warranty coverage drops to five years.There’s also 10 years of roadside assistance and 10 years of capped-price servicing.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. Mitsubishi hasn’t provided servicing costs just yet.
Game over for diesel utes
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By Tim Gibson · 24 Mar 2026
Diesel utes have been the dominant forces in Australia for the past decade, but that could be about to change.The Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux have been the top two sellers in the past 10 years, and they combined for more than 100,000 sales in 2025.The pair have carried on this popularity into 2026, sitting at the top for January and February this year. Other diesel ute rivals such as the Isuzu Ute D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton are selling well. That could be all be about to change sooner than we thought. It could be the case that a perfect storm of external factors will wipe out the diesel in ute in Australia.There is a new factor is emerging that could accelerate the diesel ute’s seemingly inevitable decline. The price of diesel fuel has increased substantially more than petrol, approaching the $3 mark per litre.I went to fill up my diesel car the other day.As I pulled into the service station, a man had just finished filling up his V8 diesel LandCruiser 200 Series. $287 for 99L - he had not even brimmed the tank. You’d get a better rate when topping up your light aircraft with aviation fuel. He asked if I wanted to swap. I politely declined.No doubt big fleet buyers will be watching closely as the costs of purchasing and running these diesel utes shoots up, along with the potential increase in costs as NVES pressures creep in. Fleet sales are crucial to the success of the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux, with them also contributing heavily to other ute brands.Fuel prices will also be an increasingly big head turner for private buyers. Alternatives such as the petrol plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 offer superior fuel efficiency when charged as well as being cheaper to fill up.Toyota announced its all-electric HiLux ute recently, which has been met with a mixed reception due to concerns over driving range and towing capacity, but it at least shows brands are already looking away from diesel. Chery’s incoming KP31 ute will debut in Australia this year with a diesel plug-in hybrid set-up, which is expected to have the 3500kg towing capacity. Something the Shark 6 currently lacks.The popularity of diesel hybrid set-ups will be an indication of the survival chances for the diesel ute in Australia. It could be argued the longer diesel prices continue to rise, the shorter the diesel ute's lifespan will be.Compounding this is new emissions laws.The Federal Government's National Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) delivered a rude awakening for some. The NVES sets emissions targets based on CO2 gram-per-kilometre limits. Vehicles sold that fall over the limit subsequently incur liabilities, which will attract hefty fines in the future for brands. Brands incur fines on vehicles sold, which have an interim emissions value of more than zero. Mazda, which sells its BT-50 ute in Australia among an internal combustion heavy lineup, accumulated a whopping more than 500,000 liabilities. Subsequently many brands, including Honda and Mazda have introduced priced increases across key internal combustion models this year.There appears to be two routes for brands. Either pass on the extra costs, or ditch diesel. Diesel utes could be about to skyrocket in price and brands scramble to account for fines on sales.In a more extreme example, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently threatened to axe the brand’s local engineering program responsible for the best-selling Ford Ranger.“Something your government, or any government, has to be very sensitive to around the CO2 glide path. We want to reduce our CO2 footprint, but there’s a level that the customer can’t afford, and not all duty cycles can be electrified,” Farley told CarsGuide.“It’s a completely open market and also pushing CO2 , arguably way beyond the customer requirements.“ needs to decide if they want to help us equalise the cost differential … because this is among the most expensive places to have engineers on the planet.”We have already seen somewhat of a winding back of Ford’s Ranger line-up Down Under, with the brand discontinuing sale of its bi-turbo diesel engine, in favour of a cleaner single turbo variant.
Shock Raptor rival appears
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By Tim Gibson · 20 Mar 2026
Mitsubishi Australia has announced the Triton Raider ute, which will launch in Australia this year as a new high-end off-road hero.There are no specification details about the vehicle at this stage, but we will learn more about it at the end of this month when it makes its full debut.On the face of things, it us shaping up as a direct rival to the Ford Ranger Raptor, which sits at the top of the Ford ute's range with 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine producing 292kW and 583Nm.Whether the Triton Raider will have some sort of powertrain upgrade remains to be seen, with the brand thus far only saying the new variant has been "inspired by rally raid competitions" and will "have a focus on Australian engineering."The current 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel found across the current Triton range produces 150kW and 470Nm.The Raider is likely to top out the Triton range, with the current most expensive version of the ute starting from $64,590, before on-road costs. The Ranger Raptor, for comparison, starts from more than $90,000.Mitsubishi also said the Triton Raider recently went through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, demonstrating its rigorous pre-launch testing program.From the image provided, the ute keeps most of the Triton signature design points, but has several blacked out elements, such as the roof rails and door mirrors.It has exaggerated fenders to highlight its more rugged capabilities, suggesting upgrades to track or tyre width and suspension.The Triton is one of Mitsubishi’s best-selling models, only trailing the Outlander SUV for sales as of February 2026.It comes at a time when Mitsubishi is preparing to reintroduce its Pajero four-wheel drive this year, which is expected to be based on the current Triton ute like its Pajero Sport predecessor.This will give the Japanese brand two new models as it looks to snatch back sales from rivals such as Ford and Toyota, which still dominate the sales charts.
Internal combustion smashes electric in Oz
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By Tim Gibson · 06 Mar 2026
Internal combustion power is still by far the most popular type of car in Australia, the latest sales data has revealed.
It's official: China is winning
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By Andrew Chesterton · 04 Mar 2026
China is now the biggest country of origin for new-car sales in Australia, leapfrogging Japan in what is a seismic shift in the Australian automotive industry.
Two new big name utes compared
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By Tim Gibson · 14 Feb 2026
The incoming new-generation Nissan Navara is mechanically identical to the Mitsubishi Triton, but carries a sizeable price jump in comparison.It adds another rival to a compact ute market, so how does the more expensive Navara shape up to its cheaper Triton sibling? Nissan said money and time has been invested into its ute’s suspension, receiving assistance from Australian specialists Premcar.The brand said this local tuning offers improvement to driving and handling with and without load. The Navara has three different suspension set-ups across the range, with lower grades tuned for carrying loads, while SUV-like suspension is fitted to higher grades. Nissan’s ute also has a locking rear differential as standard on all grades, unlike on the Triton. Here is a breakdown of the difference between the Navara and the Triton.Pricing Australia (before on-road costs) Noting the Triton’s current drive-away offering, it comes in substantially cheaper than the Navara across the range. DimensionsBoth have the same braked towing capacity of 3500kg. Things start to change when we look at payload, with the Triton offers superior carrying capacity across the range. When it comes to cargo bed size, the pair share the same-sized space. Engine and efficiencyThe Navara and Triton are nearly mechanically identical and use the same engine and transmission, so there is no difference between the two. Standard featuresNext grade adds or replaces: Next grade adds or replaces: Next grade adds The Navara does have more standard equipment than the Triton in a comparison between the pair.As standard, the Navara gets a digital driver display, unlike on the Triton, while it also gets a bigger central touchscreen. There is digital DAB+ radio, LED lighing front and back, tailgate assist and a rear diff lock as standard on the Navara, while that is only available on higher grade Tritons. There are areas where the Triton matches the Navara, including all-terrain tires and basic cloth trimmed manually adjustable seats.On the top-spec grades, the Triton has bigger alloy wheels, but they both have leather seats. The Navara’s top grade has a towbar fitted, but the Triton does not.Safety The Nissan Navara adopts the same five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded to the Mitsubishi Triton in 2024. Both get all the safety gear you would expect, such as eight airbags, lane keep assist and auto-emergency. As standard, both cars get a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. VerdictThe Mitsubishi Triton appears to be the value buy here as it gets most of the gear as on the Navara, but for a cheaper price. The Triton's special drive-away price makes it more compelling for now, but the price gap will close once that offer is removed.The Triton may be the budget pick, but the Navara’s benefits are not obvious from the spec sheet. Its Aussie-tuned suspension and rear-differential lock could give it the edge on the off-roading scene, while also aiding the on-road driving experience.
Australia's favourite utes revealed
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By Tim Gibson · 19 Jan 2026
Utes are seemingly not going anywhere as they once again featured heavily at the top of the sales charts in 2025.This is despite many models experiencing sales drop-offs year-on-year as the ute market continues to increase in competitiveness.Here are the top five best-selling utes heading into 2026. The Ford Ranger was not just the best-selling ute, but the best-selling car in Australia in 2025. It managed 56,555 sales last year, as it topped the charts, starting from $37,130 (before on-road costs) for the base single-cab chassis.The Ranger is mainly available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 125kW and 405Nm or 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 184kW and 600Nm.However, the once-popular 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel will be cut from the lineup soon.The range-topping and ever-popular Raptor meanwhile has a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, producing 292kW and 583Nm, with a starting price more than $90,000.At the other end of the spectrum, the brand now offers a plug-in hybrid, with 207kW and 697Nm, starting at $71,990 - whether it will go on to be a hit with buyers like one of its rivals on the list remains to be seen.The Toyota HiLux is second on this list and came second overall in the car sales standings for last year, with 51,297 units registered.The base manual single-cab chassis HiLux starts from $33,990, before on-road costs and the range goes all the way up to $71,990 for the range-topping dual-cab variant. All HiLux models are powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 150kW and 420Nm or 500Nm, depending on whether has a manual or automatic transmission. Toyota will also be expanding on its range, launching an all-electric version of the HiLux in the first quarter of 2026.Isuzu’s D-Max is the next best-selling ute in Australia, with 26,839 sales in 2025.Its price ranges from $36,200 to $80,900, before on-road costs, and it comes with two engine choices which are both turbo diesels. There is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder option, producing 120kW and 400Nm, and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, producing 140kW and 450Nm. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine was introduced last year to replace the less efficient and smaller 1.9-litre option.Despite being one of only two products offered by Isuzu Ute, the D-Max and its related MU-X SUV are enough to propel the brand into a top-10 position in the Australian market.Mitsubishi’s ute offering, the Triton, earned its spot in the top five with 18,900 sales. The Triton was the only ute on this list that experienced a sales bump in 2025 compared to 2024, up for 4.6 per cent year-on-year. It starts at $34,740 and goes up to $66,140, before on-road costs. All Triton utes get a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, which produces 150kW and 470Nm. Rounding out the list is the only plug-in hybrid exclusive ute in the top five. The Shark 6 burst onto the scene in 2025, and achieved a flurry of early sales, guiding it to 18,074 units throughout the year - a decisive success story. It only comes as a dual-cab in a single trim level, which is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with electric motors, combining for a total output of 321kW and 650Nm. The plug-in ute starts at $57,900, before on-road costs, and is set to be joined by cheaper cab-chassis variants later this year.